CHICAGO – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, continued his efforts to pass lifesaving, commonsense gun reforms at the first meeting of the newly created bipartisan Firearm Public Awareness Task Force. 

“There are real, tangible, commonsense steps that we can take to protect our and families from gun violence that has impacted so many communities in Illinois and across the nation,” Kalish said. “This task force will help us put everything on the table and build consensus for lifesaving reforms that will keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.”

Kalish was appointed last month to the bipartisan Firearm Public Awareness Task Force comprised of 10 members of the House Democratic Caucus and 10 members of the House Republican Caucus. The task force will review gun violence data throughout the state and submit a report with gun safety recommendations to the General Assembly. Experts from various non-profits, government agencies, academia and families affected by gun violence provided testimony to legislators during the meeting.

Over the coming months, the task force will continue to meet to outline reforms aimed at protecting communities in Illinois from senseless gun violence.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently hosted local women for a legislative advisory committee to discuss issues such as health care, equal pay, gun violence and economic opportunity.

“While extreme politicians in Washington continue to push extreme, anti-woman agendas, it’s absolutely critical that legislators in Illinois listen to the voices of our women and consider them when making the laws that impact their lives,” said Slaughter. “Hearing the women of my district speak about their perspectives and their ideas for future legislation helps me serve them better.”

Slaughter talked with meeting attendees about ideas for new legislation to benefit women and families in Illinois. Slaughter also highlighted important legislation passed this year, including the Equal Pay Act which bans employers from inquiring about past salaries and the Reproductive Health Act which cements the importance of a woman’s right to choose. The group was also joined by an outreach coordinator from the Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who gave attendees information on resources for women who are low-income or lack insurance.

For more information on upcoming events or to join Rep. Slaughter’s Women’s Legislative Advisory Committee, please call his constituent services office at 773-445-9700.

CHICAGO – Following a September gunshot incident near Bateman Elementary School in Irving Park, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is joining residents for a march against gun violence, organized by Peace for the Park, on Oct. 18.

“The outpouring of support after the incident at Bateman has been amazing to watch, and I’m glad to be part of this movement,” Andrade said. “Our community doesn’t let gun violence in our backyard go unanswered, and this march is a first step in building a lasting movement to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Andrade has sponsored several gun reform measures as a state Representative including the Fix the FOID legislation proposed after a mass shooting in Aurora earlier this year. The legislation would fix loopholes in Illinois’ FOID card system, and allow police to more easily confiscate weapons from people whose FOID cards have been revoked.

The Peace for the Park march will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bateman Elementary school, located at 4220 N. Richmond St. From there, marchers will walk to Sanabel Bakery at 4213 N. Kedzie Ave, where Andrade and other elected officials and activists will address the crowd. Andrade hopes the community will turn out to show support for their neighbors.

“Knowing that there is the potential for gun violence around our schools has shaken a lot of people. Parents need to have the peace of mind that their kids are safe,” Andrade said. “You can help provide that peace of mind just by showing up Friday and adding your voice to the cause.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago will advocate for a community-oriented, progressive approach to reducing gun violence as part of the House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force.

“Families in my district know the devastating realities of gun violence all too well, including the painful loss of loved ones and a fear that can cripple communities,” Harper said. “The only way we can offer justice to these families and prevent others from suffering is to meaningfully and sustainably reduce gun violence through a community-driven approach.”

Harper is a member of the bipartisan House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force, a 20-member working group charged with making legislative recommendations to reduce gun violence. The task force is chaired by state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, and contains 10 Democratic and 10 Republican members.

Harper has advocated a multifaceted approach to reducing gun violence that focuses on empowering communities through economic development and job creation, enacting criminal justice reform that allows law enforcement to focus resources on combating violent crime and providing a trauma-informed response for survivors and families impacted by gun violence.

“For too long our approaches to reducing gun violence have left out the voices of those in communities plagued by violence and the trauma it causes,” Harper said. “As a member of the House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force, I intend to put community voices first and advocate a well-rounded, holistic approach to reducing gun violence that is focused on treating trauma, devoting law enforcement resources to combating violent crime and creating meaningful economic opportunity for communities hurt by gun violence.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.

CHICAGO – State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, and fellow members of the Firearm Public Awareness Task Force will hold their first meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at noon in the sixth floor committee room of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, located at 160 N. LaSalle St. in Chicago.

“Gun violence has devastated countless families across Illinois, especially those living in Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods,” Ford said. “There is no single solution to ending senseless gun violence, and it is critical that we examine the root causes of this issue and work together to find ways to make Illinois safer.”

Ford was named chair of the bipartisan task force, which will review gun violence data throughout the state and submit a report with gun safety recommendations to the General Assembly. The task force is made up of 12 members of the House Democratic Caucus and 12 members of the House Republican Caucus. Hearings will feature testimony from advocates both for and against gun control, as well as law enforcement, public health officials, educators, behavioral health professionals and individuals and families affected by shootings.

“This task force will help leaders in Illinois address the threat of gun violence while giving all stakeholders a say in the process,” Ford said. “Promoting public safety in our communities is my top priority, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to create commonsense reforms that will help put an end to the gun violence crisis.”

Who:               State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford

What:             Firearm Public Awareness Task Force Hearing on the Effects of Gun Violence

Where:           Michael A. Bilandic Building

                        Committee Room, Sixth Floor

                        160 N. LaSalle St.

                        Chicago, IL 60601

When:             Wednesday, Oct. 16

                        Noon

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – State Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, has been named to a Firearm Public Awareness Task Force charged with working with law enforcement, public health researchers, advocates and other experts to provide recommendations to combat gun violence.

“It’s important that we continuously work with experts on ideas to address gun violence in our state,” Greenwood said. “We have to be proactive in our efforts to stop the next tragedy from happening.”

Greenwood will serve on the bipartisan Firearm Public Awareness Task Force that aims to bring together advocates, law enforcement, educators, public health researchers, mental health experts, concerned residents and stakeholders to review the root cause of gun violence and make legislative recommendations targeted at reducing violence. The task force is part of a multifaceted approach to gun safety and will serve as a complement to ongoing legislative efforts, such as the Fix the FOID Act aimed at keeping guns out of the wrong hands.

“Too many families have had to suffer from violence that has impacted our community,” Greenwood said. “I remain committed to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to develop real solutions that can be implemented to curb senseless violence.”

AURORA, Ill. – In recognition of her ongoing efforts to combat gun-related deaths in Illinois, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, was recently appointed to the bipartisan House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force.

“The issue of gun violence has continued to plague our communities with very little work done in Washington to combat it,” said Hernandez. “The most recent mass shootings in Ohio and Texas reminded me of the senseless violence that occurs right here in my district, including the mass shooting at Henry Pratt this year. My colleagues on the task force and I are fully committed to working diligently and tirelessly to ensure that another life is not taken from gun violence.”

Hernandez has been a strong advocate for gun safety during her short time in the General Assembly. The Firearm Public Awareness Task Force will be made up of 10 members of the House Democratic Caucus and 10 members of the House Republican Caucus. The members will review gun violence data throughout the state and submit a report with gun safety recommendations to the General Assembly.

“I am honored to have been appointed to this bipartisan task force,” said Hernandez. “There is much work to be done in order to further address gun violence and keep our families safe. I am eager to work alongside my talented and determined fellow task force members to find more solutions to this ever-growing issue in our communities.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – In recognition for his efforts to curb gun violence in our community, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, has recently been appointed to the newly created bipartisan House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force.

“I’m excited to have been appointed to this task force and am ready to find commonsense solutions to keep our communities safe,” said Moylan. “There have been too many shootings and it’s about time we put together a task force willing to work together against the growing problems.”

The House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force was created last Friday and will be asked to review the issue of gun violence and make recommendations designed to reduce violence in Illinois. The bipartisan task force will include 10 Democratic House members and 10 Republican House members.

Moylan has been a strong advocate over the years for common-sense gun safety reforms. He has been a vocal leader against automatic and assault rifles being sold, manufactured and distributed in Illinois and introduced legislation to ban bump-stocks and trigger cranks. This past spring, Moylan sponsored the “Fix the FOID” Act to require mandatory finger printing for all FOID applications and renewals and require universal background checks for all firearm transfers.

“Across the country, people are calling for action from community leaders, to stop these mass shootings and address the problems that lead to such tragedies,” said Moylan. “I believe we have a group of dedicated public leaders on this task force who are willing to put in the work and find commonsense solutions to keep residents safe.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after the tragic and deadly shootings in El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Chicago over this past weekend:

“Gun violence everywhere is a public health crisis that Donald Trump and his allies in Washington continue to ignore. Thoughts and prayers will not provide the solutions that are necessary to combat senseless gun violence head on. Illinois can be a leader on gun safety reform and violence prevention, and I plan to be a strong voice in support of new safety reforms and community investment to keep people and communities safe by closing loopholes and addressing the root causes of violence.

“Illinois recently enacted a 72-hour waiting period to obtain a firearm, but people deserve to see more action that will protect them. Illinois needs to fix the FOID by eliminating existing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to obtain deadly assault weapons and commit crimes, as was the case in Aurora this year. These weapons of war should be banned in Illinois.

“Consistent issues highlighted alongside the lack of necessary gun safety laws include the severe lack of mental health funding, in particular for trauma support in the aftermath of violence and the hateful rhetoric out of Washington. While Trump fails us again, Illinois can pick up the mantle and lead the charge for real gun safety reform and violence prevention.”

LaPointe represents the 19th District, which covers portions of Chicago’s Big Oaks, Dunning, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Union Ridge and West Portage Park neighborhoods, and River Grove, Elmwood Park, Norridge and Harwood Heights.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to a tragic shooting on an expressway in February, state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, passed legislation to prevent gun violence from threatening drivers on highways.

“Right now, our expressways are not monitored enough, and that creates a blind spot for law enforcement,” Jones said. “Tamara Clayton lost her life because the offenders thought they could get away with their crimes. This legislation is a big step toward preventing further deaths like Tamara’s. I thank Governor Pritzker for joining me in combatting this problem.”

Jones passed House Bill 331, or the Expressway Camera Act, requires the Illinois State Police, Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Toll Highway Authority to conduct a program to increase the amount of cameras along Cook County expressways. The images captured by the cameras will be used to investigate and study gun crimes on highways, aiming to crack down on future offenses. Jones’ law was prompted by the shooting of Tamara Clayton, an innocent woman driving on the I-57 to her job as a mail carrier for the post office. This came on the heels of three non-fatal shootings on the same stretch of the I-57 earlier that day. Gov. Pritzker signed the bill into law.

Chicago expressways cumulatively have already seen 19 shootings this year, an average figure for the area. Experts have indicated that shootings are so common because criminals assume, often correctly, it’s a space where they can get away with breaking the law. More highway cameras will likely make a significant impact.

“Gun violence interferes with daily life in so many ways, we need legislation to address it in every form,” Jones said. “Keeping our highways safe is just one part of the solution we need. I have pledged to build a stronger Illinois, and that can’t happen when lives are at-risk. For Illinoisans to take advantage of the opportunities I’m working towards giving them, bills like this are crucial.”